American Lit: Literary Terms for Final Exam

American Lit Terms

Theme

Central idea about life of a work of literature (it should be a complete sentence...IE: Slow and steady wins the race for Tortoise and Hare)

Tone

A writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization on the sentence and global levels.

Mood

Feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader

situational irony

An outcome that turns out to be very different from what was expected

verbal irony

irony in which a person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning.

dramatic irony

when a reader is aware of something that a character isn't

Satire

the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

point of view

the perspective from which a story is told (first person = I, third person limited = he/she but from only one point of view, third person ominiscient = narrator can see everything...all seeing)

Symbol

A person, place or object which has a meaning in itself but suggests other meanings as well

figurative language

simile (comparison using like/has), metaphor (comparison not using like/as), imagery, hyperbole

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, biblical story, or work of art

Repetition

Repeated use of phrases, words, or ideas for effect and emphasis

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words to create rhythm or emphasize a particular feeling.

Consonance

The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of nearby words, often enhancing rhythm or mood.

Enjambed lines

are lines of poetry that continue without a pause beyond the end of a line or stanza, creating a sense of movement and urgency.

End-Stopped Lines

are lines of poetry that conclude with a punctuation mark, creating a pause and a sense of completion.

Imagery

Imagery refers to descriptive language that evokes sensory experiences, allowing readers to visualize scenes, hear sounds, or feel emotions.

Meter

is the structured rhythm of a poem, measured by the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. It helps create a musical quality in poetry.

Rhyme

is the repetition of similar sounding words, typically at the end of lines in poetry, creating a musical quality and enhancing the flow of the poem. AABB means the first two words rhyme and the third and fourth rhyme.

Listener

is one who engages with a text or poem, interpreting its meaning and experiencing its emotional resonance. In poetry, the listener's response can significantly enhance the work's impact.

Speaker

is the voice or persona that narrates a poem or piece of literature, distinct from the author. The voice of the poem conveys emotions, perspectives, and thoughts, shaping the reader's understanding of the text.

Sonnet

is a 14-line poem, typically written in iambic pentameter, that explores themes of love, beauty, or nature, often featuring a specific rhyme scheme such as ABABCDCDEFEFGG.

Stanza

is a grouped set of lines within a poem, often sharing a common rhyme scheme and meter. They can vary in length and are used to organize thoughts and enhance the poem's structure.

Contemporary

a person from the same time as someone else or something that exists or occurs in the present time, reflecting current trends, themes, and styles in literature.

Character Trait

Character Motivation

refers to the reasons or desires that drive a character's actions and decisions within a narrative, often revealing their goals, needs, and conflicts.